EU flag burned as tens of thousands join Warsaw nationalist demo

Organisers said that up to 50,000 were on the march which marked the anniversary of Poland's independence after the Second World War

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Polish nationalists in front of the National Stadium during the 'March of Independence' Photo: EPA

 

 

Tens of thousands of protesters poured into Warsaw's streets on Wednesday for a demonstration organised by the far right, marching under the slogan "Poland for the Polish" and burning an EU flag.

Demonstrators watch an European Union flag burning during the annual march commemorating Poland's National Independence Day   Photo: AFP

Police said 25,000 people joined the march, which marked the anniversary of Poland's return to independence after the Second World War, while organisers put the numbers at 50,000.

"God, honour, homeland," chanted the protesters as they marched under a sea of red-and-white Polish flags.

Demonstrators trampled and burned a European Union flag at one point, while a banner added to the anti-EU theme with the slogan "EU macht frei" ("Work makes you free" in German), a reference to the slogan over the gates at Auschwitz.

 "Yesterday it was Moscow, today it's Brussels which takes away our freedom," chanted one group of protesters.
Other banners read "Great Catholic Poland" and "Stop Islamisation".
Polish nationalists light flares in front of the National Stadium during the 'March of Independence' under the slogan 'Poland for the Poles, the Poles for Poland', which is part of Polish Independence Day celebrations in Warsaw  Photo: EPA
Several thousand riot police officers were deployed for the protest, which was punctuated by numerous firecrackers and smoke bombs but otherwise went off peacefully.
Demonstrators wave Polish flags during the annual march commemorates Poland's National Independence Day in Warsaw   Photo: AFP
The annual march, organised by Poland's nationalist right, has seen clashes in previous years.
"I came here because I love Poland and want to show it," said 27-year-old Piotr, who came with his fiancee. He added: "I came here for my grandfather, who fought in the Warsaw Uprising (against the Nazi occupation of the Polish capital), and for his father, who fought for independence".
Two cyclists watch thousands of Polish nationalists marching on the Poniatowski bridge marking the Independence Day in Warsaw, Poland  Photo: AP
Poland is returning to conservative rule after eight years of centrist government, following the Law and Justice (PiS) party's landslide election victory last month on a platform playing strongly on fears over the European migrant crisis.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/poland/11989250/EU-flag-burned-as-tens-of-thousands-join-Warsaw-nationalist-demo.html